Aardsma has elbow sprain, will seek second opinion

Mariners closer David Aardsma has a grade two sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will see Dr. Lewis Yocum for a second opinion.

Injuries to the the ulnar collateral ligament can require Tommy John surgery, although it depends on the severity of the tear.

Aardsma, 29, has been on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma as he recovers from offseason hip surgery. He had an MRI on his right arm Saturday after experiencing discomfort.

“I’m absolutely frustrated. How can I not be?” Aardsma told Greg Johns of MLB.com over the weekend. “I’ve worked so hard and you come back from the leg stuff and everything is going great, then you have a setback. You have to be frustrated.”

After the consultation with Yocum, Mariners medical director Dr. Edward Khalfayan and Yocum will recommend treatment.